Golf Ball Pick-Up Tool

ABSTRACT

A golf ball pick-up tool includes a supporting shaft and a resilient golf ball hook attached to the supporting shaft. The resilient golf ball hook defines an opening of an original size smaller than a diameter of a golf ball. Upon application of a force, such as by pressing the tool over a golf ball, the resilient golf ball hook is displaceable to an enlarged size larger than the diameter of the golf ball. Upon cessation of the force, the resilient golf ball hook resiliently returns to the original size.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/142,435, filed Jan. 5, 2009, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(NOT APPLICABLE)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a golf accessory and, more particularly, to a tool used for picking up a golf ball.

The game of golf appeals to people of all ages. As golfers age, it is not uncommon for back problems to occur that make it difficult to retrieve a golf ball from the hole or even from the ground. It would thus be desirable to design a tool that can assist golfers in picking up a golf ball. It would also be desirable for such a tool to be easily accessible via attachment to a golf bag or to a golf club typically in use when it is time to retrieve a ball (i.e., usually a putter).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A golf ball pick-up tool utilizes the resiliency of a bent wire to create a ball hook. The ball hook is generally circular and has a diameter slightly smaller than a diameter of a golf ball. In use, the hook is placed over a ball on the ground or in the hole, and the user presses down on the tool. The downward force causes the golf ball hook to open slightly and pass over the ball. When the hook is beyond the widest diameter of the ball, the hook naturally retracts to its original diameter, smaller than the golf ball, by virtue of the elastic properties of the wire. Subsequently, when the tool is lifted, the ball is lifted with it supported in the ball hook.

The invention also includes structure to enable the tool to be secured to a golf bag and also to enable the tool to support a golf club.

In an exemplary embodiment, a golf ball pick-up tool includes a supporting shaft and a resilient golf ball hook attached to the supporting shaft. The resilient golf ball hook defines an opening of an original size smaller than a diameter of a golf ball. Upon application of a force, the resilient golf ball hook is displaceable to an enlarged size larger than the diameter of the golf ball, and upon cessation of the force, the resilient golf ball hook resiliently returns to the original size. In a preferred arrangement, the supporting shaft and the resilient golf ball hook are formed from a single wire.

The tool may additionally include structure for securing the tool to a golf bag. The securing structure may include a fitting area defined by a folded length of wire, where the fitting area is sized to fit over an edge of a golf bag. In one arrangement, the resilient golf ball hook is disposed at one end of the folded length of wire, and a club hook is disposed at an opposite end of the folded length of wire. The club hook is configured to support a golf club.

The supporting shaft may be securable within an opening in a distal end of a golf club grip.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of picking up a golf ball uses the golf ball pick-up tool. The method includes the steps of positioning the resilient golf ball hook over the golf ball such that a bottom side of the golf ball hook comes into engagement with the golf ball; applying a force toward the golf ball such that the resilient golf ball hook is displaced to an enlarged size larger than the diameter of the golf ball and is passed over the golf ball, wherein upon cessation of the force, the resilient golf ball hook resiliently returns to the original size; and lifting the golf ball pick-up tool with the golf ball resting on a top side of the golf ball hook.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a golf ball pick-up tool comprises a length of wire bent to include a first supporting shaft and a resilient golf ball hook at an end of the first supporting shaft. The resilient golf ball hook defines an opening of an original size smaller than a diameter of a golf ball. The wire has a modulus of elasticity such that upon application of a force, the resilient golf ball hook is displaceable to an enlarged size larger than the diameter of the golf ball, and upon cessation of the force, the resilient golf ball hook resiliently returns to the original size. In one arrangement, the length of wire is sized and bent to include a second supporting shaft disposed adjacent the first supporting shaft, defining a fitting area between the first and second supporting shafts. The fitting area is sized to fit over an edge of a golf bag. A club hook that is configured to support a golf club may be disposed at an end of the second supporting shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the golf ball pick-up tool according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows the tool of FIG. 1 secured in a golf club grip and positioned over a golf ball to be picked up;

FIG. 3 shows a golf ball pick-up tool of a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows the tool of FIG. 3 secured to a golf bag; and

FIG. 5 shows the tool of FIG. 3 supporting a golf club.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the golf ball pick-up tool according to a first embodiment. The tool includes a supporting shaft 100 and a resilient golf ball hook 104 attached to the supporting shaft 100. Preferably, the supporting shaft 100 and the resilient golf ball hook 104 are formed from a single wire, although other constructions will be contemplated. The resilient golf ball hook 104 defines an opening 106 of an original size smaller than a diameter of a conventional golf ball 400.

The supporting shaft 100 may be slightly bent as shown in FIG. 1 and is insertable within an opening in a distal end of a golf club grip 200 as shown in FIG. 2.

In use, when it is desired to use the tool to pick up a golf ball 400, the user places the golf ball hook 104 over the golf ball 400. Since the opening 106 of the golf ball hook 104 is smaller than a diameter of the golf ball 400, the golf ball hook 104 engages a perimeter of the golf ball 400 on the top hemisphere of the ball 400 (i.e., above the midsection or largest diameter of the ball). The user applies a downward force on the tool, and the resilient golf ball hook 104 is displaced to an enlarged size slightly larger than the diameter of the golf ball 400 so that the golf ball hook 104 passes over the midsection of the ball 400 to the lower hemisphere and typically to the ground. Once the hook 104 is passed the midsection of the ball 400, the golf ball hook 104 resiliently returns to its original size, smaller than the diameter of the golf ball 400. Subsequently, when the user lifts up on the tool, since the relaxed golf ball hook 104 is smaller than the diameter of the golf ball 400, the golf ball is lifted as the tool is lifted with the ball being supported in the opening 106 of the golf ball hook 104.

FIGS. 3-5 show an alternative embodiment of the golf ball pick-up tool. In this embodiment, the tool is securable to a golf bag 300 rather than in an opening in the distal end of the club grip 200. The tool may be secured to a golf bag 300 using any suitable means. In a preferred construction, the securing structure includes a fitting area 105 defined by a folded length of wire 101. The fitting area 105 is sized to fit over an edge of the golf bag 300. In this embodiment, the shaft 100 includes both legs of the folded wire 101. A resilient golf ball hook 103 is disposed at an end of one of the wire lengths, and a club hook 102 is disposed at an opposite end of the wire length.

As shown in FIG. 3, the resilient golf ball hook 103 may be formed as an open hook (as shown in FIG. 3) or as the closed hook 104 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The club hook 102 is configured to support a golf club as shown in FIG. 5. In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 5, the club hook 102 holds the golf club against the golf bag 300 to support the club. It is desirable, for example, to support a putter or other often-used club outside of the bag to facilitate access to the club.

Like the first embodiment, the tool according to the second embodiment can be bent from a single wire. That is, in the first embodiment, the length of wire can be bent to include the first supporting shaft 100 and the resilient golf ball hook 104 at an end of the first supporting shaft 100. The resilient golf ball hook 104 is bent to define the opening 106 of an original size smaller than the diameter of the golf ball 400. The wire has a modulus of elasticity such that upon application of a force, the resilient golf ball hook 104 is displaceable to an enlarged size larger than the diameter of the golf ball 400, and upon cessation of the force, the resilient golf ball hook 104 resiliently returns to its original size. In the second embodiment, the length of wire may be sized and bent to include the second supporting shaft 101 adjacent the first supporting shaft and defining the fitting area 105 between the first and second supporting shafts. As noted, the fitting area 105 is sized to fit over an edge of a golf bag 300. The club hook 102 is preferably disposed at an end of the second supporting shaft 101.

With the golf ball pick-up tool of the invention, a golfer can pick up a golf ball from the hole or the ground easily and accurately without bending over. The tool can be conveniently attached to a club grip or the golf bag for easy access. By forming the tool using a single wire, the tool is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A golf ball pick-up tool comprising: a supporting shaft; and a resilient golf ball hook attached to the supporting shaft, wherein the resilient golf ball hook defines an opening of an original size smaller than a diameter of a golf ball, and wherein upon application of a force, the resilient golf ball hook is displaceable to an enlarged size larger than the diameter of the golf ball and upon cessation of the force, the resilient golf ball hook resiliently returns to the original size.
 2. A golf ball pick-up tool according to claim 1, wherein the supporting shaft and the resilient golf ball hook are formed from a single wire.
 3. A golf ball pick-up tool according to claim 1, further comprising means for securing the tool to a golf bag.
 4. A golf ball pick-up tool according to claim 4, wherein the securing means comprises a fitting area defined by a folded length of wire, the fitting area being sized to fit over an edge of a golf bag.
 5. A golf ball pick-up tool according to claim 4, wherein the resilient golf ball hook is disposed at one end of the folded length of wire, and wherein a club hook is disposed at an opposite end of the folded length of wire, the club hook being configured to support a golf club.
 6. A golf ball pick-up tool according to claim 1, further comprising a fitting area defined by a folded length of wire, the fitting area being sized to fit over an edge of a golf bag.
 7. A golf ball pick-up tool according to claim 6, wherein the resilient golf ball hook is disposed at one end of the folded length of wire.
 8. A golf ball pick-up tool according to claim 7, further comprising a club hook disposed at an opposite end of the folded length of wire, the club hook being configured to support a golf club.
 9. A golf ball pick-up tool according to claim 1, wherein the supporting shaft is securable within an opening in a distal end of a golf club grip.
 10. A method of picking up a golf ball using a golf ball pick-up tool, the golf ball pick-up tool including a supporting shaft and a resilient golf ball hook attached to the supporting shaft, wherein the resilient golf ball hook defines an opening of an original size smaller than a diameter of a golf ball, the method comprising: positioning the resilient golf ball hook over the golf ball such that a bottom side of the golf ball hook comes into engagement with the golf ball; applying a force toward the golf ball such that the resilient golf ball hook is displaced to an enlarged size larger than the diameter of the golf ball and is passed over the golf ball, wherein upon cessation of the force, the resilient golf ball hook resiliently returns to the original size; and lifting the golf ball pick-up tool with the golf ball resting on a top side of the golf ball hook.
 11. A golf ball pick-up tool comprising a length of wire bent to include a first supporting shaft and a resilient golf ball hook at an end of the first supporting shaft, wherein the resilient golf ball hook defines an opening of an original size smaller than a diameter of a golf ball, and wherein the wire has a modulus of elasticity such that upon application of a force, the resilient golf ball hook is displaceable to an enlarged size larger than the diameter of the golf ball and upon cessation of the force, the resilient golf ball hook resiliently returns to the original size.
 12. A golf ball pick-up tool according to claim 11, wherein the length of wire is sized and bent to include a second supporting shaft disposed adjacent the first supporting shaft and defining a fitting area between the first and second supporting shafts, the fitting area being sized to fit over an edge of a golf bag.
 13. A golf ball pick-up tool according to claim 12, further comprising a club hook disposed at an end of the second supporting shaft, the club hook being configured to support a golf club. 